If the Worlds Collide?

The Collision Begins

Sid's words hung in the air, echoing in Sona's mind. "You and Ayra are the same person... in different worlds." The revelation rattled her to her core. She stood frozen, staring at him, trying to make sense of everything he had just revealed. Her heart raced, and her thoughts blurred into a whirlwind of confusion.

Sona's voice trembled as she finally spoke. "But how... how is that possible? I don't remember anything about Nivara. I've only ever known Earth. I'm Sona... not Ayra."

Sid's face softened, though the weight of his burden was evident in the lines of worry creasing his forehead. "That's the thing, Sona. You don't remember because you've lived two separate lives—one here and one there. But now, the walls between our worlds are breaking down, and you're the center of it all. It's why the collision is happening. You're not just Sona from Earth; you're also Ayra from Nivara, and somehow the two of you can't exist separately anymore."

The confusion and panic in Sona's chest grew. "But why didn't you tell me earlier? Why avoid me if you knew this all along?"

Sid ran a hand through his hair, his face hardening. "Because I hoped I could stop it. I've been balancing these two worlds, trying to keep them separate. I didn't want you to get involved. But... meeting you, it sped everything up. I didn't know how to face it—or you."

Sona couldn't believe what she was hearing. All the signs were there: the strange dreams, the growing connection she felt to another world, and now this. But a part of her still didn't want to accept it. "So what does that make you? Why are you involved?"

Sid's eyes grew darker, the familiar flicker of secrets returning. When I came to Earth, it wasn't by choice. I was sent here to stop the collision. I've been living a double life for years, trying to protect both worlds."

Sona stepped back, trying to take it all in. "You're from Nivara?" she repeated, barely able to comprehend it. The man she had admired and been drawn to was not even from the same world as her.

"Yes," Sid said softly, his gaze steady on her. "But that's not the worst of it. I found out about you—about Ayra—years ago. I knew the moment we met that you were the key to everything. That's why I stayed away. I didn't want you to get caught in the middle of this."

Sona felt the anger rising inside her, the helplessness of not being told the truth until it was too late. "But you couldn't stay away forever, could you?" Her voice was edged with frustration. "And now everything is falling apart."

Sid's jaw clenched, his own frustration mirrored in her eyes. "It wasn't supposed to happen this way. I was supposed to keep the worlds separate."

"Well, you failed," Sona shot back, the weight of her emotions crashing into her. "And now I'm caught between two worlds I barely understand!"

Sid's frustration exploded as well. "Do you think this is easy for me? I've been lying to everyone—my family, my friends, even myself! I didn't ask for this, Sona, but I'm doing everything I can to protect you."

There was a long pause, their heavy breathing the only sound between them. Sona looked away, the sting of betrayal burning behind her eyes. "I can't be both Sona and Ayra, Sid. I don't know how."

Sid stepped closer, his voice soft but intense. "You're stronger than you think. And right now, we don't have a choice. We have to find a way to stop this."

The air between them crackled with the tension of unsaid words, unprocessed emotions, and the undeniable pull between them. Sona wanted to scream, to cry, to lash out at the universe for putting her in this impossible position. But at the same time, she knew that there was no one else she trusted more than Sid.